Encouraging Moms Who Homeschool

The book Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald is a classic among Christians, referenced from the pulpit on a regular basis and often found on the bookshelves of believers. And now, it has been revised and updated. I pretty much jumped at the chance to review this book. Fifteen chapters. A preface and an epilogue. Even a study guide to make this accessible for a small group. That's the skeleton of this book - but what about what's on the inside? There's a lot inside. A whole lot. The first chapter or two were a bit s-l-o-w for my liking. I had heard so much about this book over the years that I was chomping at the bit, ready for the heavy stuff. The author lays a nice foundation for the rest of the book in the early chapters, which is exactly what a good author does. I just wanted to skip ahead, but I didn't. And I am glad that I didn't, because I see now that the book moves at a pace that can draw in even the most disorganized mess of a person...

 So, I read this quote a few days ago and it really struck a cord:                   "Flattery is not communication; it is manipulation." Um, wow. When I flatter someone, why? Why do I do it? What is the point? What end result am I hoping to achieve? Just, why? I don't think I have a good answer. Sometimes, I suppose, I sort of sincerely mean what I am saying (when I compliment or congratulate someone - which is different than when I flatter them). But most of the time I use flattery as a means to an end. Isn't that basically using people?  Oh good grief, that's awful! It makes my stomach turn! But there it is in all it's hideousness. Ick. Communication brings to mind meaningful, two-way conversation that is relaxed and full of intentional listening on the part of all conversing. It's genuine. It happens when people care deeply about one another and want to make that known more than they want their opini...

I have recently been reading through the book "The Wisdom of God - Letting His Truth and Goodness Direct Your Steps" by A.W. Tozer. True to form, Tozer delivers a whole lotta punch in each and every chapter. It's heady, weighty stuff, this book; it's meat and potatoes of the spiritual sort. In short, do not read this book if you are looking for soft serve, cuz this ain't that.          This book is comprised of 23 chapters, none of which is very long. They are short, but pack a powerful punch. Each chapter has enough to say that you feel as if you have read far more than a few pages. The core of the subject matter is the Lord's wisdom; the applications of this topic spread far and wide. There is far more to this than I had previously thought, and it has proven that my own studies of wisdom as laid out in the Bible have been scant at best. It's an education in wisdom. And of course, as with any type of education, there is homework. Sa...

This post is short & sweet ~ just a handful of Bible verses that will, hopefully, bless you today.           1 Peter 1:13a - So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your desires. You didn't know any better then.           1 Samuel 12:7 - Now stand here quietly as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you...           Isaiah 41:10 - Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.           John 14:27b - Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor let it be fearful.           Exodus 2:23b - They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to ...

Homeschooling is hard. Attempting to live out the guidelines in Proverbs 31 is hard. Parenting is hard. Marriage is often hard.The catchy phrase, "The struggle is real," adequately describes many aspects of the life of a mom who homeschools. But has the struggle become chaos? Do you feel completely adrift in that chaos? Friend, chaos and a sense of being adrift in a sea of overwhelming burdens and hardship is not the Lord's will for you. I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, I know this to be true. You are His beloved. He has not spoken chaos over your life. My son graduated from Wheaton College, and for this blog post I am going to directly quote one of the school's most famous female alumni - Elisabeth Elliot.           "Either we are adrift in chaos or we are individuals, created, loved, upheld and placed purposefully, exactly where we are. Can you believe that? Can you trust God for that?" Are your days longer than 2...

Over the last 6 years or so, I have reviewed quite a few books. Far more than I can remember off the top of my head, and too many to bother taking the time to try and count them all. I have read some duds and found some real treasures. The book I am reviewing today is a gem. It is a terrific book. Women Who Move Mountains , by Sue Detweiller, isn't just another book about prayer. It's something more akin to a life-guide wrapped inside an in-depth personal Bible study. It's not just a book you read ~ it is a book that you pray through as you let God's Word be applied to the deepest parts of your life and the neediest aspects of your life.  The book's layout is unique: each chapter of reading material is immediately followed by a chapter of study material and questions that cement the content from the prior chapter. The reading material is not difficult, but it certainly is not easy reading. And the questions are not "fluff". On the contrary, they are...

If you're like me, you don't homeschool year-round. I like to end our homeschool year some time in May and start up again in late August. That, however, is our actual academic schedule. I am always thinking about homeschooling ~ combing through our curriculum bookshelves, updating transcripts, reading books to encourage me as a homeschool mom...you get the idea. As a long-term homeschooler ~ as in 20 years! ~ I can tell you that the time spent focused on your homeschool in July pays big dividends come September. First off, mom won't feel nearly so overwhelmed when facing the advent of the new academic year. Second, your kids will have a far better school year if they know everything is ready to go before the year begins. Third, your home will run more efficiently if you are totally prepared for the school year (by totally prepared, I mean caught up on laundry, have all the library books you need, meals are planned, all supplies have been purchased, etc). And your husband ...

So, this particular book review carries a special kind of weight for me and hit me squarely between the eyes with it's subject matter. I am about to become an empty-nester and I have absolutely no idea how this can possibly be true. My times they are a-changing. And I don't know that I like the changing of the times, to be honest. Barbara and Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest is easy to read, well thought out, informative and, if not exactly essential for a woman in my situation, then by all means a wise option as I wrap up my current season of life. After all, I have been a full-time homeschool mom for almost 25 years. I probably need to seek out some counsel as I prepare to transition to...well...to whatever is next for me. The book has 12 chapters, divided into three sections, and includes an epilogue as well as four appendixes and a small group or book club study guide. Like I said, it's well thought out and informative. The chapters stay true to their intende...

It is easy for the homeschooling mother to sort of "drift" through her summer days. "Drift" being a relative term - summer means VBS and vacation and family reunions and swim lessons and visits to grandma and library reading programs and the like. There are no lazy summer days for busy moms, but there are days when the school year is far removed from our thoughts. Don't let your child's education fall into the deep, black chasm labeled "Out of Sight, Out of Mind". Summer poses an excellent opportunity to evaluate our home life, which of course includes our homeschool life, and make certain that the things which are most important are the things you are accomplishing. So, the big question to ask yourself is this: What is most important to you? Do not be too quick to answer this question. Take your time, think on it, pray about it, listen for the Lord to speak to your heart. What is truly most important to you, as a disciple of Jesus? As a stew...

I would not refer to myself as an expert on any topic, a guru at anything, nor a master of a trade. But I can refer to myself as one who has *almost* completed her work as a homeschooler. I am nearing the end of this road; I have been running my race for over two decades and soon this will all be in the past tense... I'm not an expert, but I am seasoned in this lifestyle. Here are a few of the things I have learned over the years.       # 1 ~ Small Children = Short Increments                              Homeschooling is both a coordinated dance and a balancing act - at the exact same time. If you have babies or toddlers, or a broad span of grades you are teaching, then you absolutely must plan out your time in short, manageable increments. This takes a lot of thoughtful planning and work on the front end of each week, but it pays off in spades (more on that in tip # 3). For example, pla...